# Structure and Agreement in Relative and Subordinate Clauses

In the complex interplay of grammar rules that define languages, clause structure represents a pivotal element in the construction of meaningful sentences. This article delves into the specifics of how relative and subordinate clauses operate within a sentence, particularly focusing on the elements of grammatical agreement that might be required between these clauses and the main parts of a sentence.

## Introduction to Clauses

A clause is a unit of grammar that typically contains a subject and a predicate. Clauses can be categorized as either independent, meaning they can stand alone as a sentence, or dependent, meaning they cannot stand alone and depend on the main clause to convey a complete thought. Dependent clauses include relative clauses, also known as adjective clauses, and subordinate clauses, also encompassed under adverbial clauses.

## Relative Clauses

Relative clauses play a crucial role in providing additional information about a noun in the main clause. They are usually introduced by relative pronouns such as "who," "which," "that," or "where." These pronouns help to connect the relative clause to the noun it modifies, also known as the antecedent. 

### Example:
In the sentence "The book that she read was fascinating," "that she read" is a relative clause modifying "the book."

### Agreement in Relative Clauses
Relative pronouns must agree in number and sometimes gender with their antecedents. However, beyond the pronoun itself, the relative clause does not have to agree in other grammatical aspects such as tense, person, or other verb conjugations with the main clause. This flexibility allows the relative clause to independently describe the noun, without altering its core grammatical structure as determined by the main clause.

## Subordinate Clauses

Subordinate clauses function primarily to provide supporting information to the main clause, acting similarly to adverbs. They can express time, reason, condition, contrast, purpose, and more. Introduced by subordinating conjunctions such as "because," "if," "although," and "when," subordinate clauses add depth to the narrative or explanatory power of sentences.

### Example:
In "She visited because she missed us," "because she missed us" is a subordinate clause expressing the reason for her visit.

### Agreement in Subordinate Clauses
Like relative clauses, subordinate clauses do not require strict agreement with the main clause in terms of verb tense, person, or number. The primary connection between a subordinate clause and the main clause is usually semantic (meaning-based) rather than syntactic (structure-based).

## Syntactic Independence

Both relative and subordinate clauses exhibit a degree of syntactic independence from the main clause they accompany. This independence is crucial for the flexibility of language, allowing the speaker or writer to construct complex sentences that convey nuanced ideas or detailed descriptions. The relative independence of these clauses underlines a fundamental principle in linguistics: while elements within a clause often need to conform to agreement rules, clauses themselves can often stand somewhat apart from these constraints when interacting with each other.

## Conclusion

Understanding the role of relative and subordinate clauses in sentence structure is vital for mastering the complexity of language use. While these clauses are bound to their antecedents or the clauses they modify in specific ways, such as agreement in number or the use of correct conjunctions, they do not require a direct agreement in terms of verb conjugation or other syntactic features with the main clause. This aspect of grammar highlights the nuanced and versatile nature of human language, facilitating diverse and intricate expression.